Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2Cor. 5:14-21 | Ps. 103:1-4, 8, 9-12 | Lk 2:41-51
The Gospel recounts for us the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Joseph, Mary and Jesus join the group of pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus is twelve years old when this event takes place. Instead of going home with his parents, Jesus decides that he should stay and try to convert the leaders of the Jewish people. Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph discover that he is not with the group and are frantic to find him. Not finding him in the group, they turn back to Jerusalem. Once found they question his staying behind. Jesus’ answer: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Mary and Joseph are called to rely on their trust in God to teach them what this event means.
Paul reminds us that Christ redeemed us through His death on the Cross. It is through this gift of Christ that we have been made new. This is the ministry of “reconciliation” which Christ brought about and into which we have been called as followers of Christ. Therefore we are called to be reconciled to God and to one another.
Our world does not hold either of the characteristics of integrity or faithfulness to vocation as important. Listen to God’s call and be faithful to that call despite the hardships it involves. Ask Mary to help you grow in these qualities.